A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

I really enjoyed this book. It really is the kind of break your heart open as you watch this girl’s heart be broken by the world over and over. 

The book starts out very insular. We almost never interact with another character because Shirin almost never interacts with her world. Other people’s voices are only shown on the page when they crack into her world on accident or because sheer force of will. Not even her family have an entrance to her interior world at first. And later in the book when Shirin is being attacked by the world she has started to open up to the prose begins to revert back into her head. At least that is what I think happens. If so it is done masterfully. And if you have read any of Tahereh Mafi’s previous books you know she likes to play with form. 

The character development of Shirin was amazing. Mafi truly is a master. She was angry, and snarky, and full of love, and just felt so real. It was heartbreaking being introduced to this girl that was wearing so much figurative armor at all times that no one could reach her. And it was even more heartbreaking that she really did need that armor at times. But the book follows Shirin as she goes on a journey to letting parts of the world into her heart. 

I do think that at the beginning I wasn’t feeling the romance quite as hard as I should have, but I got on board completely before Shirin did. 

There was so much of this book I related to so hard. I was ecstatic when Shirin was watching Matlock. I loved Matlock as a child, I really should watch more Matlock. Also on a less adorable note, I have sort of been the white kid telling my middle eastern friend that I liked hummus. My hummus incident didn’t happen quite the way Ocean’s did. But I did bring an Israeli owned hummus brand to study with my Palestinian friend (hey Nabeha, sure you aren’t reading my review because law school). I have also asked tons of questions about religious practice and history, I do think these questions were welcomed and encouraged from my buddies but I also see how having to explain things can take a lot out of someone. Also, white people tip, ask if someone is in the mood to be asked a question and don’t ask dumb stuff (think if you would feel weird if people asked you an equivalent, it’s not that hard to not ask dumb stuff if you think before you speak) and don’t ask something that could be easily googled. Or things that are massively emotionally taxing or time draining to ask, unless I guess your person is very ready for that.

This is just to say I loved this book. I am fairly certain that I will read this book again and again. I now need to stop writing because I believe I have a headache from eye strain.

I gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads and read it on October 16th, 2018.